Sitting down at a table for one, looking around and seeing that, yet again, you’re the only one eating by yourself—if you’ve done some solo travel, you’re probably all too familiar with the situation. But does traveling alone mean your meals are forever doomed to be filled with loneliness? No way.
As someone who travels by myself more often than not, embracing the solo meal has made eating a richer experience (and not to mention the food perks that can come with it). But there’s no shame in craving some companionship during dinner times, too, and unaccompanied travelers have unique advantages that can make mealtime an opportunity for new friendships.
Whether you want to embrace the solitude of solo dining or find a meal buddy during your trip, here are some tips that will make your travel meals that much more of a delicious memory.
The restaurant table for one can be among the best parts of travel
While solo dining in a small restaurant in Sambuca di Sicilia, writer Lisa Abend recalls opening a book to fend off the awkwardness she felt while waiting for her food. It’s natural to fight the fish-out-of-water sensation that comes with dining alone, and telling someone to “just enjoy eating alone” may seem about as helpful as telling an unhappy person to “just feel better.”
Many solo travelers fear they’ll be judged by other diners, but the truth is that nobody is paying attention. Instead of focusing on who’s not at the dinner table, focus on who is. You can order what you want without compromising and have the freedom to eat at whatever pace you like—it seems more like a cause for celebration than stress.
Some restaurants will even cater to those who opt for going alone. Afar associate director of SEO Jessie Beck recalls eating at Anchovy Bar in San Francisco: “One of the toughest things about dining solo is that I can’t try as many dishes as I’d like, but on a recent solo date at Anchovy Bar in San Francisco, the server went out of his way to tell me that they let solo diners (just solo diners!) do half orders of most dishes,” she says. Despite having a bit of reputation as a romantic date spot, the restaurant allowed Beck to order dishes like its heirloom tomatoes, halibut crudo, and anchovy toast—one of the restaurant’s well-known dishes—in solo guest–size portions.
Once you’ve mastered the discomfort of eating alone, the possibilities are endless on the other side. Beyond the freedom to order what you want is being able to spend that time dining how you want. Do you want to spend it thinking about your travels ahead? Truly relishing in every flavor that hits your taste buds? It’s all up to you.
Cooking classes can be a fun way to meet people as a solo traveler.
Photos by Chloe Arrojado
And if you’re looking for company during your solo travel meal . . .
1. Sign up for a foodie experience
Food is a major part of a culture, and one of the best parts of signing up for a tour or cooking class is that you’ll meet people who prioritize food as much as you do. When I traveled to Kyoto solo in 2023, I signed up for Haru Cooking Class. Not only was it an intimate way to learn about Japanese food culture (the class was even held at the teacher’s house), but my fellow dining companions—who included a couple from Canada and a family from the United States—added a more global perspective to the conversations we had.
Food tours are another great way to meet people and fill your belly, offering a variety of conversation starters in bite-size pieces. Icebreaker questions like “What do you think of the food?” can be an easy way to make friends during tastings. Plus, you usually spend time trying dishes with significance to the place you’re visiting and can source more recommendations from your tour guide and fellow travelers during the tour.
2. Look for communal seating
Restaurants that offer communal seating allow diners to enjoy their meal and sit together. Not only can they be a great way to make friends but they can also facilitate connections that last beyond the dinner table. That’s what Afar deputy editor Tim Chester found when eating at Pachapapa restaurant on a trip to Cusco.
“It was my last night in Peru and I didn’t want to leave without trying papa rellena, fried mashed potatoes filled with beef and carrots,” he shares. “A couple of digital nomads sat down, and we quickly got into conversation about travel, food, and more. They work in farmland investing but live all over the world. One of them—Roxanne—has since reached out on LinkedIn. She’s a new Afar fan. Our brief but convivial few hours together were a lovely end to a solo trip far from home.”
3. Eat at the bar
The good ol’ bar section is a classic choice for solo diners, with seating often set up so that you can easily swivel to your right or left and strike up conversation. If your restaurant does have a bar, Afar senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers highly recommends going for it: “I remember stopping in at a counter seat for tapas in Barcelona and striking up a conversation with my server, who gave me some insider tips to other dining spots in the city while I was tucking into the best pan con tomate of my life. I felt like an instant local who knew the secrets of the metropolis.”
4. Use your own resources to find people
And if the dining establishments don’t lend themselves to finding a dining buddy, using your network and interests can. Afar contributor David K. Gibson advises solo diners to use resources such as the local alt-weekly, Facebook events, or Meetup.
“Whatever organization you’re a card-carrying member of (professional, political, or pathological), there’s bound to be a chapter in the city you’re visiting. Check the website’s meeting calendar or drop a line to someone with an organizational title. If nothing’s on the schedule, perhaps there’s a chance for a one-on-one at an associated event,” Gibson writes.
This story was originally published in October 2017, and was updated on August 7, 2024, to include current information.
